Time Inc. Releases Sports Illustrated Digital Subscriptions

There is a vast hole in the Internet now. Two things are missing and those two things are sports commentary and, once a year, images of scantily clad women. Time Inc. is righting these wrongs by releasing “All Access” digital subscriptions to Sports Illustrated on the web, Android, and WebOS.

The new platform will offer the “iconic print magazine” on all devices, starting with Android tablets and smartphones as well as a web-based version on si.com.

How much does this privilege cost? $48 annually or $4.99/month for a print and digital subscription or $3.99/month for a digital-only subscription. Current SI subscribers will receive free digital access immediately for the remainder of their subscriptions.

SI isn’t new to portable devices. Thus far they’ve released an iPad app, an HTML5 version for Android and a Fantasy Football game. In addition to their sports content, SI will release more pictures of nearly naked ladies with further expansion of the Swimsuit line, including a 3D version.

Publishers are scared, friends, and we should laud SI for this move. Everyone and their dog can say they have an iPad app, but like it or not, Android will will run the show very shortly and SI knows that dudes who love sports – and the ladies who love them – love Android.

Sports is the next frontier for tablet content. Witness, for example, The Daily’s dedication to sports content, occasionally to the detriment of their other coverage. SI is doing the right thing and if they can slowly switch Luddites to tablets, expect them to be around for at least a few more years.

New York, NY (2.11.10) – Time Inc. and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED announced the introduction of new “All Access” digital subscription plans that will deliver the iconic print magazine to consumers at all touch points (or on all platforms) beginning today with Android tablets and smartphones as well as on the web at www.si.com/magazine. This is the first of Time Inc.’s emerging digital subscription programs, designed to offer consumers a flexible approach to accessing its branded titles. Earlier this week, Time Inc. announced plans to make TIME, Fortune, People and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED available for subscription on the HP TouchPad when it is introduced later this year.

The new apps from the editors of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED are an extension of the title’s aggressive development initiative. In the last eight months SI has introduced a new magazine iPad app, SI Snapshot (developed in HTML5) for Google Chrome and a new SI Facebook Fantasy Football game. There are also several new Swimsuit digital products, including 3D, coming out on February 15. And last week, a concept for SPORTS ILLUSTRATED on the Android Honeycomb was showcased by Google.

“We view every new technology as an opportunity to provide our long-time subscribers with digital access to the magazine and at the same time attract new readers,” said Terry McDonell, Time Inc. Sports Group Editor. “Our editors and designers have stepped up to customize the best-possible version of SI for various platforms and technologies.”

Beginning today, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED “All Access” includes new magazine apps for the Samsung Galaxy and Android smartphones (OS 2.1 and higher); web access to the issue (after log in) can be found at www.si.com/magazine. The specific plans are:
• Print/Digital (Samsung Galaxy/Android Smartphone/Web): $48 annually or $4.99/month
• Digital Only: $3.99/month
• Current print subscribers have free access to the digital package throughout the remainder of their term

“This is a significant step in delivering SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s award-winning journalism to sports fans everywhere and in any way they want it,” said Mark Ford, Time Inc. EVP and President of its Sports Group. “The new subscription options give consumers flexibility and convenience they desire and ensures that our multiple revenue streams continue to grow.” SPORTS ILLUSTRATED currently boasts nearly 3.15 million print subscribers.
Time Inc./Sports Illustrated “All Access” -2-

“We are in the first inning of development and with this new, expanded commerce infrastructure we can ensure that our readers will be able to enjoy their favorite titles across an array of digital platforms and devices as the game unfolds,” said Randall Rothenberg, Time Inc. EVP/Chief Digital Officer.